University of Evansville's Rami Malek up for Oscar in Best Actor category

At the New York premiere of Queen drama "Bohemian Rhapsody," Rami Malek says that, as a first generation American, he identifies with late singer Freddie Mercury, who moved to England from Zanzibar as a teenager (Oct. 31)
AP

If recent history is any indication, the University of Evansville graduate could very well be accepting the most prestigious award of his profession when the Academy Awards air in late February.

Malek was nominated by the Academy Tuesday in the "Best Actor" category for his portrayal of Queen's iconic lead singer Freddie Mercury in blockbuster "Bohemian Rhapsody." The film was a worldwide phenomenon in late 2018 with over $800 million in revenues, becoming the most successful music biopic in film history - this despite mixed reviews from critics.

Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the work of so many from the cast and crew who made all of this possible. I have absolutely treasured playing Freddie Mercury and I am so profoundly humbled and thrilled to honor him this way.

Malek tweeted about his excitement a few hours after it was announced.

"Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the work of so many from the cast and crew who made all of this possible," the Tweet stated. "I have absolutely treasured playing Freddie Mercury and I am so profoundly humbled and thrilled to honor him this way."

Reviews were not mixed on Malek, however; the 37-year-old star of television's "Mr. Robot" was Hollywood's breakout star last year and garnered near-universal praise in his "Bohemian Rhapsody" role from serious film critics and moviegoers alike.

Rami Malek arrives on the red carpet for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute's benefit celebrating the opening of the exhibit 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between' in New York, New York, USA, 01 May 2017. The exhibit will be on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute from 04 May to 04 September 2017. JUSTIN LANE, EPA

Actor Rami Malek attends the 'Mr Robot' premiere during the Zurich Film Festival on September 27, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. The 11th Zurich Film Festival will take place from September 23 until October 4. Lennart Preiss/Getty Images

An old axiom in the entertainment industry claims that the Golden Globes are not a great predictor of what will happen at the Academy Awards. This does not, however, ring true in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories; in nine of the last 10 years, the lead actor or actress who won the Golden Globe has also taken home an Oscar.